Georg Meiring

Georg Lodewyk Meiring SSA SD SM MMM ORB
Born	(1939-10-18) 18 October 1939 Ladybrand, Orange Free State Province, Union of South Africa
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Army
Years of service	1963 – 1998 (35 Years)
Rank	General
Commands held	Chief of the South African National Defense Force (1994 – 1998) Chief of the South African Defence Force (1993 – 1994) Chief of the South African Army (1990 – 1993) Deputy Chief of the Army GOC Far North Command GOC South West African Territorial Force (1983 – 1987) Deputy Chief of the Army (1982 – 1983)
Battles/wars	Border War
Awards	Star of South Africa (SSA) Southern Cross Decoration (SD) Southern Cross Medal (SM) Military Merit Medal (MMM) x12px Order of the Cloud and Banner - with Yellow Grand Cordon (3rd Grade) (ORB)(Taiwan) x12px Order of the Cloud and Banner - with Special Cravat (4th Grade) (ORB)(Taiwan)

General Georg Meiring SSA SD SM MMM ORB (born 1939) was a South African military commander from Ladybrand. After obtaining an MSc in Physics from the University of the Orange Free State, he joined the South African Army as a signals officer in 1963, and in 1974 he became Director of Signals (DSigs) of the South African Army.

He served as Deputy Chief of the Army from 1982 to 1983 and as GOC South West Africa Territory Force from 1983 to 1987. He was later OC Far North Command, Deputy Chief of the Army again, Chief of the Army from 1990 to 1993, the last Chief of the SADF from 1993 to 1994, and the first Chief of the South African National Defence Force from 1994 to 1998.

Controversy

In February 1998, Georg Meiring in his capacity as the head of defense of South Africa had provided a report to then president Nelson Mandela on an organization by the name of "Front African People's Liberation Army". This report implicated many important government dignitaries on conspiracy to assassinate the president, murder judges, occupy Parliament and broadcasting stations and cause mayhem in general. Later, after it was investigated, the report was proved to be fabricated.

Awards and Decorations

In 1998 General Meiring was awarded the Order of the Star of South Africa (Gold)

He also received the Order of the Cloud and Banner 4th class from Taiwan

• Star of South Africa (SSA)

• Southern Cross Decoration (SD)

• Southern Cross Medal (SM)

• Military Merit Medal (MMM)

• Pro Patria Medal

• Southern Africa Medal

• General Service Medal

• Unitas Medal

• Good Service Medal, Gold (30 Years)

• Good Service Medal, Silver (20 Years)

• Good Service Medal, Bronze (10 Years)

• x20px Order of the Cloud and Banner - with Yellow Grand Cordon (3rd Grade) (ORB)(Taiwan)

• x20px Order of the Cloud and Banner - with Special Cravat (4th Grade) (ORB)(Taiwan)

See also

• List of South African military chiefs
• South African Army
• South African Border War

Military offices
New title	Chief of the South African National Defence Force 1994 – 1998	Succeeded by Siphiwe Nyanda
Preceded by Andreas Liebenberg	Chief of the South African Defence Force 1993 – 1994	Renamed to SANDF in 1994
Preceded by Andreas Liebenberg	Chief of the South African Army 1990 – 1993	Succeeded by Hattingh Pretorius
Preceded by Len Meyer	Deputy Chief SA Army 1989 – 1990	Succeeded by Daan Hamman
Preceded by Charles Lloyd	GOC Far North Command 1987 – 1989	Succeeded by Willie Meyer
Preceded by Charles Lloyd	Chief of the South West African Territorial Force 1983 – 1987	Succeeded by Willie Meyer